Master in Management Science - Admission

Admission Requirements

Please refer to the University of Tennessee Graduate School at Email: gradschool@utk.edu for general admission requirements.

In addition to their requirements, the master's program requires four applicant rating forms or recommendation letters and the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), the Applicant Information Sheet, your personal statement and your résumé. Applications are encouraged from all majors, but a mathematics background or equivalent, such as the completion of at least two years of college calculus and proficiency in a computer language is required. The program is designed to be completed in four semesters by full-time students. However, students may start the program in any semester and may pursue a Master degree in Management Science on a part-time basis.

The Management Science Committee will work closely with the student in tailoring a program to his/her needs. The committee must approve a tentative overall program during the student's first semester and must approve all courses on a semester-by-semester basis.

An entering student must demonstrate mastery of at least one computer language along with an understanding of data structures through previous coursework or equivalent work experience. Otherwise, to satisfy this requirement, the student must enroll in and complete (earning a grade of C or better) one or both of the 100-level courses listed below as stipulated by the Management Science Committee.

CS 102 - Introduction to Computer Science
CS 140 - Data Structures
(Both courses are NOT for Management Science Master's degree credit)

Recognizing the diverse backgrounds and needs of Management Science Master students, the Management Science Committee is prepared to waive some of the above requirements on an individual basis.

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Cost and Financial Aid

The University of Tennessee provides quality graduate education in an environment free of unnecessary expense. As of Fall 2008, tuition for full-time graduate study per semester was $3,131.00 for in-state students and $9,460.00 for out-of-state students. In addition, there is also a University Programs and Services Fee of $250.00 per semester and a Technology Fee of $100 per semester for all students. The In-State Facilities Fee per semester is $30.00 and the Out-of-State Facilities Fees per semester is $180.00. There is now a Transportation Fee of $26.00 per semester and allows the student to travel across campus. The cost of living in the Knoxville area is significantly less than most urban or university communities. The Office of Financial Aid estimates student expenses to be approximately $16,822 for the 2008-2009 academic year in addition to fees and tuition. This amount will vary depending on the student's housing status. A number of financial aid opportunities are available through the Management Science Program and the Graduate School.  These include:

• Fellowships
• Research or Teaching Assistantship
• Part-time Employment Opportunities

Fellowships require no service and are available on a competitive basis. Most fellowships are awarded on the basis of academic merit and potential for scholarship. The awards include a full tuition waiver and monthly stipends. Contact The Graduate School or the Office of Financial Aid for more information.

Teaching or Research Assistantships provide a full tuition waiver and a monthly stipend in return for teaching or research service. They are normally available on a quarter-time or half-time basis. which is 10 hours or 20 hours per week of supervised teaching or research work.

Part-time employment opportunities are available to provide a student with additional income and work experience. The nearby Oak Ridge National Laboratory has traditionally offered considerable part-time and summer employment opportunities. Many on-campus opportunities are also available from the Computer Center, The Center for Business and Economic Research, The Transportation Center and other academic departments.

To apply for departmental financial assistance, simply complete the Financial Aid Section of the Departmental Applicant Information Form. There are a limited number of fellowships and assistantships. Applications received after March 1 are not guaranteed to be considered for fall semester assistantship.

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Application materials for the Graduate School

The following application materials need to be mailed (unless otherwise stated) to:

Graduate and International Admissions
201 Student Services Building
Knoxville, TN 37996-0230 USA
Phone: (865) 974-3251
Fax: (865) 974-6541
Email: graduateadmissions@utk.edu

The following application materials need to be submitted directly to the Department of Statistics, Operations, and Management Science:

Department of Statistics, Operations,
and Management Science
916 Volunteer Blvd.
329 Stokely Management Center
Knoxville, TN 37996-0532

1. Departmental Applicant Information Form
   The form is available in both interactive PDF and printable PDF.
2. Four Letters of Recommendation
   The form is available in both interactive PDF and printable PDF.
3. Personal Statement
   
4. Resumé

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Deadlines

Important: Students are generally advised to start in the Fall semester due to our course sequences. Students are seldom admitted in other semesters.

There are no formal admission deadlines for domestic applicants (International applicants please consult the special information for international applicants and the admission deadlines of the Graduate School),  but financial aid deadlines and availability may be of importance. We strongly suggest applicants to apply before July 15 for the next year's Fall semester enrollment.

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International Applicants

1. Language requirements
   Applicants whose native language is other than English must submit results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), taken within the past two years, or have received a degree from an accredited U.S. institution in the last two years from the date of entry. Successful candidates are expected to have tremendous English speaking, listening, comprehension and writing skills. Note this well before applying.
   
   * A minimum score of 550 for paper-based test, 213 for computer-based test or 80 for Internet-based test (iBT) is required for admission consideration. For iBT, the minimum MUST be 20 on each of the sub-sections of these (reading, listening, writing, and speaking) is required for admission consideration. Passing marks for the IELTS are 6.5.  Otherwise it is an automatic denial of admission due to university standards. There will be no exceptions to this rule.
   
   
2. Application deadlines
   Due to immigration policies, the deadlines below have to be strictly followed by international applicants. Applications received after the deadlines will not be considered.

Note:  The Graduate Application Form and Application fee must be received by Application Deadline, other documents can be received by Application Completion Deadline.

International students already enrolled at UT can apply to transfer from their programs to our program with somewhat flexibility in time, but not as flexible as US students due to immigration requirements.   Thus, we encourage the students to apply as early as possible.  Please check with the Center for International Education for any special rules.

Admission must be granted and financial documentation and degree confirmation must be received prior to issuance of a Certificate of Eligibility (Form I-20) needed to obtain a visa from the United States Consulate. Students on the University's Exchange Visitor Program will be mailed a Form DS-2019 to be used in obtaining a J-1 visa. Students intending to obtain a J-1 visa or those already in the United States in J-1 status should notify the admissions office as soon as possible if a DS-2019 is required. A student may not be issued both an I-20 and a DS-2019. The Graduate School will not issue these forms after the Application Completion Deadline.

The University will not enroll any student who has not been approved initially or for transfer by the Immigration and Naturalization Services (INS) to attend UT. An international student may not enroll as a provisional or non-degree student.

To hire international students, we must have a copy of their:

I-20 or DS-2019
Passport
Visa
I-94
Social Security Card (or letter from the Social Security Administration stating that they have applied for one)

**We must also have the ORIGINAL work authorization form, which comes from Center for International Education.

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Check List

Application Materials for the Graduate School

• Graduate Application Form (or online application)
• $35.00 Application Fee
• Official Transcripts of all colleges or universities attended
• Official documents for degree certificating (in ENGLISH)
• GRE or GMAT scores
• TOEFL score, only required for applicants whose native language is other than English.
• Documented evidence of financial resources

Application Materials for the Department

• Departmental Applicant Information Form
• Four Letters of Recommendation
• Personal Statement
• Resumé

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Downloadable Forms

• Graduate Application Form (PDF)
• Departmental Applicant Information Form (interactive PDF, printable PDF)
• Letter of Recommendation (interactive PDF, printable PDF)

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Contact

For additional information, please contact:

Jane Moser
Program Resource Specialist
Email: jmoser@utk.edu
Tel: (865) 974-4116
Fax: (865) 974-8636

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